Former Reach plc events executive Katie Isaacson has launched a new events agency in Liverpool and has already landed one of the city region’s biggest awards ceremonies. Tony McDonough reports

Just months after being launched by former media giant executive Katie Isaacson, a Liverpool events agency is taking on one of the city region’s biggest awards ceremonies.

Until recently Katie was head of events in the North West for Reach plc, publisher of the Liverpool Echo and Manchester Evening News. She joined the business in 2004 and has helped successfully deliver more than 500 events.

Similar to many people, she had a period of reflection during the pandemic and decided to take her career in a new direction. So in June 2021, she took the plunge into entrepreneurialism and started Cool Breeze Agency.

And the venture is off to a flying start after securing the contract to manage Growth Platform’s Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards. The event will take place on March 10, 2022. The deadline for entries is fast approaching – Friday, November 5. With 15 categories there is a wide range of options across the visitor economy spectrum. For a full list of categories go to www.lcrtourismawards.com

Katie said: “Having worked on several past Tourism Awards events whilst at Reach plc I’m delighted to secure this contract in my own right with Cool Breeze Agency. The Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards are always a highlight in the regional events calendar.

“Cool Breeze Agency will be providing full service event management supporting the Growth Platform from launch and through the entry and judging process, right through to delivery the awards ceremony in March.”

The Tourism Awards are not the only contract Cool Breeze has secured. It has already worked with clients such as MSP Global, to produce the Speedy Excellence Awards, Northern Power Women, Pulse Agency, NHS Manchester and 438 Marketing.

Katie has spent her whole life into the family hotel business and so had a head start in the hospitality sector. Her family background is far from ordinary. Dad Philip was a professional footballer and Mum Rosemary was part of a 1970s girl band called Cool Breeze, which inspired the name of Katie’s business.

Rosemary started her showbiz career at the famous Batley Variety Club where, along with her sister and a friend, worked with stars such as Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Johnny Mathis and Louis Armstrong.

Her band was originally called The Deb Set but after success on 1970s TV talent show, Opportunity Knocks, they changed their name to Cool Breeze. They went on to perform internationally and in all major theatres in the UK. They had hit records and many TV appearances.

Katie’s own career started in conference and banqueting in hotels across the UK and her professional events career began in 2002 at Aintree Racecourse, before she joined Reach plc in 2004. She has helped deliver awards, fashion shows, exhibitions and conference and corporate dinners.

She added “Cool Breeze’ was an incredibly lucky name for my Mum’s group so now, it is no longer in use, I thought it would bring the same luck for my agency.”